Ethiopia. Persons of concern

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1 A joint UNHCR-Government task force was established to improve coordination and resource management for refugee programmes and strengthen contingency planning. Non-governmental partners, IOM and other UN agencies also participated in the task force. In August 2010, the Ethiopian authorities introduced a new policy allowing Eritrean refugees to reside outside camps, provided they are self-sufficient or have other support in Ethiopia. Approximately 1,000 refugees Persons of concern benefited from this policy, including 200 Eritrean students granted scholarships by Ethiopian universities. A total of 46,000 new asylum-seekers and refugees, mainly from Eritrea and Somalia, were registered and assisted. Two new camps were established, one in Adi Harush for Eritreans and another in Melkadida for Somalis. A site for a third camp was identified in Genale. UNHCR submitted almost 1,500 refugees for resettlement in 2010, which also saw some 3,100 individuals depart for third countries. Type of Population Origin Total Of whom assisted by UNHCR Per cent female Per cent under 18 Refugees Somalia 81,200 81, Eritrea 44,800 44, Sudan 25,200 25, Kenya 2,400 2, Various Asylum-seekers Kenya Somalia Eritrea DRC Sudan Various Returnees (refugees) Various Total 155, ,250 UNHCR Global Report

2 Children playing football in a refugee camp in Gambella, Ethiopia. UNHCR / E. RUBIO A total of 50 Sudanese refugees repatriated voluntarily with UNHCR s assistance. Working environment Ethiopia continues to provide international protection to refugees. There was a rise in the number of new arrivals from Eritrea and Somalia in Military conscription, a deteriorating human-rights situation and the lack of economic opportunities were key factors behind the influx of Eritreans, while displacement from Somalia was due mainly to ongoing conflict and drought. Arrival rates varied from individuals per day. The Somali population in Dolo Ado District increased by 35,000, a trend expected to continue in Achievements and impact Main objectives and targets Favourable protection environment Ethiopia is party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. Domestic policy is guided by the national Refugee Proclamation of Ethiopia is a signatory to other international and regional human-rights conventions. The 2004 Refugee Proclamation outlines Ethiopia s legal framework for refugees and respects key protection principles. However, certain provisions allow for administrative discretion, which can affect the fairness of the asylum procedure. Ethiopia received 46,000 asylum-seekers in 2010 and recognized over 21,700 as refugees. No impediments to accessing the territory or incidents of were reported. A new policy promulgated in August 2010 relaxes restrictions on the movements of Eritrean refugees, and approximately 1,000 people, including university students granted scholarships, currently benefit from this scheme. Ethiopia continued to readmit former Eritrean refugees (approximately 2,200 to date) in addition to granting them access to asylum. The country also became a party to the Kampala Convention on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Fair protection processes Ethiopia recognized 21,000 individuals as refugees in UNHCR advocated for greater streamlining in the refugee status determination (RSD) process and greater uniformity in decision-making. Capacity-building support, training and technical advice were provided to the Government s Administration for Refugees and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) in order to make the RSD process more efficient and fair. 86 UNHCR Global Report 2010

3 Security from violence and exploitation UNHCR identified more than 4,400 unaccompanied and separated children in the various camps and arranged foster care and community-based support for them. Countrywide, 350 cases of sexual and gender-based violence were reported and UNHCR provided assistance ranging from medical treatment to counselling and legal aid to the victims. UNHCR worked with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society to unite newly arrived asylum-seekers with relatives living in the camps, as well as refugees with relatives within Ethiopia. Basic needs and services UNHCR and its government counterpart, the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs, initiated a Post-Repatriation Rehabilitation Project in areas that formerly hosted Sudanese refugees. Training in bee-keeping, poultry farming and gardening was provided and six water pumps were constructed in the former Bonga and Dimma camps, as part of rehabilitation efforts. UNHCR also supported the establishment of three farming cooperatives in the local communities. Community infrastructure, including schools in Assosa and Gambella, was supported. Re-forestation, soil and water conservation, agro-forestry, environmental education and community environmental planning activities aimed to rehabilitate the environment in refugee-hosting areas. More than 1.2 million tree seedlings were planted. UNHCR provided household cooking fuel and stoves in an effort to reduce the risk of sexual and gender-based violence during the collection of firewood by refugee womenandgirls.incooperationwithpartners,unhcr explored ethanol fuel procurement. Electricity will replace firewood for cooking. Newly arriving refugees in all camps received blankets, kitchen sets, jerry-cans, water buckets, sanitary kits, soap and other non-food items (NFIs). In 2010, some 17,400 school-age children were enrolled in formal education, representing almost 56 per cent of children in the camps and urban settings. The enrolment rate for all forms of education was 67 per cent. In the newly established camps of Bokolmanyo and Melkadida enrolment rates were less than 30 per cent, a situation UNHCR is working to improve. Coordination and monitoring activities were strengthened in order to improve access to education and enrolment in new camps and maintain standards in established camps. UNHCR also helped build the capacity of partners in educational planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting, and safe-learning environments. Community participation was increased through a parent-student-teacher association. DAFI scholarships benefited some 130 refugees, while more than 200 Eritrean refugees received scholarships from Ethiopian universities. Some 380 refugees benefited from scholarships at tertiary level. UNHCR implemented small-scale gardening, food and health projects which targeted children under five and women of reproductive age in the Somali and Sudanese camps, six of which showed high rates of anaemia in UNHCR provided meals to new refugees, and WFP provided rations at all refugee sites. Malnutrition has steadily decreased. More than 90 per cent of women in seven camps gave birth in health facilities assisted by trained staff. Child health activities have been strengthened: vitamin A supplements and immunization for children under five covered over 90 per cent of children in five out of nine camps. A comprehensive HIV and AIDS prevention programme was established in all camps, except Adi Harush. A programme is planned for Adi Harush in Some refugees have established small businesses or farms with the help of remittances or loans from outside the formal assistance structure. Although resource limitations restricted the implementation of income-generating activities, microcredit schemes and vocational training, progress was made in implementing new income generation projects in the camps around Jijiga. UNHCR contributed to maintaining the Akobo-Fugnido road and selected feeder roads in refugee-hosting areas. Climatic conditions in the Dolo Ado region affected the durability of dome shelters. A pilot construction scheme using locally produced bricks and corrugated iron roofing for similar dome shelters is being launched in This area is exposed to strong winds and torrential rains which destroyed nearly all the emergency tents that were pitched in Bokolmanyo and Melkadida. More than 50 houses were completed in Mai-Aini in 2010 for refugees with specific needs. The water supply was below standard in almost all camps. However, significant progress was achieved in the camps around Jijiga, where supplies increased between 22 and 68 per cent due to the drilling and connection of additional boreholes in Awbarre and Sheder camps and enhanced protection for the Jarar Valley water supply system. The distances between shelters and water points were brought closer to acceptable standard in Kebribeyah, Awbarre and Sheder camps. In Shimelba the water supply was maintained at 20 litres per day per person. However, water supplies in the new camps of Mai-Aini and Adi Harush remained a challenge, reaching only 15 and 5 litres daily per person, respectively in the two camps. In the Melkadida camp, construction of the water supply system was almost completed by the end of the year. In Bokolmanyo, preparatory work has begun for the construction of a permanent supply system. Until completion, water will be supplied by truck. UNHCR also constructed and maintained communal and individual latrines, waste disposal pits and shower blocks in all camps. Community participation and self-management UNHCR conducted participatory assessments with refugee groups involving all partners. The aim of the assessments was to build partnerships with refugees of different backgrounds; to gather information on protection risks and their underlying causes; and to identify solutions. UNHCR Global Report

4 Refugee Central Committees in the camps have 50 per cent female participation in general, and an equitable distribution of roles and responsibilities. Three camps received support to increase female representation. Durable solutions Almost 1,500 people were submitted for resettlement during Nearly 3,100 individuals departed to third countries. In view of the lack of voluntary repatriation prospects, the continuing encampment policy in Ethiopia and lack of viable integration options for the majority of refugees, resettlement continued to be an important durable solution. In 2010 UNHCR strengthened resettlement referral mechanisms. In August, Ethiopia began implementing an out-of-camp policy, which is seen as an important step with potential positive impact on local integration prospects for Eritreans. A total of 50 Sudanese refugees repatriated voluntarily with UNHCR s assistance during the year. External relations Regular donor briefings and field visits were organized for representatives of UNHCR s donors to the Dolo Ado, Mai-Aini and Sherkole camps. UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Barbara Hendricks also visited camps to help raise awareness. Logistics and operational support UNHCR s fleet of 10 trucks and two water tankers was supplemented by rented vehicles. Transport capacity needs to be increased to respond to the rising demand for NFIs and other services. Responding to increased storage capacity needs, UNHCR rented additional warehouses in Addis Ababa, Shire and Dolo Ado. Constraints Ethiopia s laws and policies do not allow the local integration of refugees. Reservations to the 1951 Convention are maintained, notably to Articles on employment. In this context, the out of camp policy in favour of some of the Eritrean refugees demonstrates an important step by the Government towards the facilitation of self-reliance. Political, security and environmental factors continued to result in large displacements into Ethiopia from neighbouring countries and impeded the search for durable solutions. UNHCR s programme in Ethiopia was also affected by escalating inflation, which led to a 7 per cent increase in consumer prices in Financial information Since 2007, with continuous new influxes from Somalia and Eritrea, UNHCR s budget for Ethiopia has steadily increased. The available funds made it possible to implement around 95 per cent of prioritized activities. Organization and implementation The programme in Ethiopia was managed by the Country Office in Addis Ababa, sub-offices in Gambella, Jijiga and Shire and field offices in Assosa and Dolo Ado, as well as five field units in Fugnido, Kebribeyah, Awbarre, Sheder and Sherkole. The UNHCR Liaison Office to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa is also located in Addis Ababa. UNHCR s presence in 2010 Number of offices 6 Total Staff 231 International 20 National 150 JPOs 2 UNVs 10 Others 49 Working with others The Country Office continued to work with other UN agencies within coordination mechanisms such as the United Nations Country Team and the UNDAF process. Close relationships were maintained with government counterparts and NGO partners. UNHCR led the protection cluster and participated in other clusters. UNHCR s Liaison Office to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa supported the signing of the IDP Convention at the AU Summit in Kampala. Overall assessment The multi-year protection strategy for Ethiopia has led to some tangible achievements. Registration and RSD are more efficient, with a new biometric refugee identification system now operational. People with specific needs are systematically identified. UNHCR made strategic use of resettlement and advocated for improved asylum policies and open borders for new arrivals. Despite the improvement brought to some facilities and services in the camps, the assistance delivered in vital areas such as water and health is still below standard. Regardless of funding constraints, the remoteness of camps and environmental factors, UNHCR continued to provide assistance to a significant number of new arrivals. 88 UNHCR Global Report 2010

5 Partners Government: Administration of Refugees and Returnee Affairs, Gambella Rural Road Authority, Natural Resources Development and Environmental Protection, Gambella and Assosa Agricultural and Rural Development Coordination Office, Sheraro and Jijiga Water Supply Office. NGOs: Abraham s Oasis Foundation, African Humanitarian Action, African Humanitarian Aid and Development Agency, Cooperazione Internazionale, Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Gaia Association, Hugh Pilkington Charitable Foundation, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Jesuit Refugee Service, Lutheran World Federation, Mother and Child Development Organization, Partnership for Pastoralist Development Association, Rehabilitation and Development Organization, Save the Children (USA), Save the Environment Others: UNV Government: Others: Comitato Coordinazione Medica, Danish Refugee Council, International Medical Corps, IOM, MSF (Spain), UNICEF, UNOPS, UNV, WFP, ZOA Refugee Budget, income and expenditure in Ethiopia USD PILLAR 1 Refugee programme Total FINAL BUDGET 100,174, ,174,528 Income from contributions 1 23,038,226 23,038,226 Other funds available 21,509,605 21,509,605 TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE 44,547,831 44,547,831 EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN Favourable protection environment International and regional instruments 37,497 37,497 National legal framework 83,147 83,147 National administrative framework 26,400 26,400 Policies towards forced displacement National and regional migration policy 129, ,836 Prevention of displacement 40,968 40,968 Prevention of statelessness 106, ,430 Co-operation with partners 89,720 89,720 National development policies 165, ,701 Public attitudes towards persons of concern 88,846 88,846 Access to territory 137, ,486 Non-refoulement 33,565 33,565 Environmental protection 538, ,783 Emergency management strengthened 33,572 33,572 Subtotal 1,512,483 1,512,483 Fair protection processes and documentation Reception conditions 1,262,687 1,262,687 Registration and profiling 1,267,702 1,267,702 Access to asylum procedures 263, ,730 Refugee and stateless definitions Fair and efficient status determination 517, ,229 Family reunification 83,791 83,791 Individual documentation 427, ,992 Civil status documentation 166, ,962 Subtotal 3,990,530 3,990,530 UNHCR Global Report

6 PILLAR 1 Refugee programme Total Security from violence and exploitation Impact on host communities 1,067,910 1,067,910 Effects of armed conflict 46,725 46,725 Law enforcement 711, ,319 Community security management system 190, ,897 Gender-based violence 523, ,128 Protection of children 398, ,878 Freedom of movement 82,765 82,765 Access to legal remedies 107, ,047 Subtotal 3,128,670 3,128,670 Basic needs and essential services Food security 893, ,633 Nutrition 117, ,787 Water 2,659,221 2,659,221 Shelter and other infrastructure 3,968,134 3,968,134 Basic domestic and hygiene items 3,308,079 3,308,079 Primary health care 3,217,488 3,217,488 HIV and AIDS 754, ,914 Education 1,732,604 1,732,604 Sanitation services 249, ,574 Services for groups with specific needs 449, ,110 Subtotal 17,350,543 17,350,543 Community participation and self-management Participatory assessment and community mobilisation 274, ,664 Community self-management and equal representation 231, ,264 Camp management and coordination 270, ,612 Self-reliance and livelihoods 367, ,507 Subtotal 1,144,047 1,144,047 Durable solutions Durable solutions strategy 424, ,703 Voluntary return 302, ,692 Rehabilitation and reintegration support 67,142 67,142 Resettlement 650, ,909 Local integration support 183, ,299 Reduction of statelessness 245, ,701 Subtotal 1,874,447 1,874,447 External relations Donor relations 33,000 33,000 Resource mobilisation 97,044 97,044 Partnership 254, ,997 Public information 146, ,783 Subtotal 531, ,823 Logistics and operations support Supply chain and logistics 3,153,190 3,153,190 Programme management, coordination and support 3,073,222 3,073,222 Subtotal 6,226,412 6,226,412 Instalments to implementing partners 8,762,067 8,762,067 Other objectives 26,267 26,267 Total 44,547,288 44,547,288 1 Income from contributions includes indirect support costs that are recovered from contributions to Pillars 3 and 4, supplementary budgets and the New or additional activities mandate-related (NAM) reserve. Contributions towards all pillars are included under Pillar UNHCR Global Report 2010